Hughes: Sir Alex got it spot on

21 August 2010 09:49

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Mark Hughes admits the emergence of Paul Scholes proves Sir Alex Ferguson was right to bring to an end the Welshman's career at Old Trafford.[LNB] Hughes will oversee his first home game since becoming Cottagers manager when Manchester United visit west London on Sunday.[LNB]Ferguson sold Hughes to Chelsea in 1995 and the former Wales striker believes the emergence of Scholes, who remains a class act at 35, was the catalyst for his departure.[LNB]"I could see Paul's quality back then and I think he hastened my exit!" he said.[LNB]"I left at the same time as Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis because Alex had complete faith in the young players like Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt.[LNB]"They were the future and I was the past. Sir Alex always was and still is very good at making key decisions at the right time. He got that one right."[LNB]Hughes expects Ferguson to arrive at Craven Cottage intent on reminding a player he managed for seven years of the pecking order.[LNB]"I've never come up against a weakened Man Utd team and maybe he likes his former players to know our place!" he said.[LNB]"He's always competitive but has a lot of affection for guys who have played for him and taken the next step through to management.[LNB]"He's always supportive but always likes to beat you.[LNB]"My relationship with him now is probably better than when I was a player.[LNB]"As a player I was grateful he allowed me to play in his team and that was it, but now I'm a manager we're closer."[LNB]Hughes remains thankful to Ferguson for his support after he was dismissed by Manchester City last December and knows he can turn to him for advice.[LNB]"Alex's words were very gratefully received. I've never been one of his ex-players who have sought a lot of advice from him," he said.[LNB]"I've had key conversations and that was obviously one of them.[LNB]"There's a pool of knowledge there that I can tap into if I ever need to.[LNB]"I haven't done that in recent times but that's not through lack of respect for what he can offer. I just haven't felt the need to.[LNB]"Certainly the fact he was on the phone very soon after the Man City situation is something I'm conscious of and something I was very grateful for at the time."